Shoe machine



A. F. BANCROFT Nov. 23, 1937.

SHOE MACHINE 2 Sheets-Shed 1 Filed Dec. 29, 1936 Meniar A ZZert 17,527?era/t,

tafls';

Nov. 23, 1937. A. i BANCROFT SHOE MACHINE Filed Dec. 29, 1936 2Sheets-Sheet 2 [730,6722'07 A lert [flan croft mavi Patented Nov. 23,1937 UNITED STATES.

PATEN OFFlCE SHOE MACHINE: 7 Albert F. Bancroft, West Newton, Mass,assignor to Bancroft-Walker Company, Walth'ai'n, Mass, a corporation ofMassachusetts Application December 29, 1936, Serial No. 118,075

8 Claims. (01. 1249.1)

' This invention pertains to the manufacture of footwearand relates moreparticularly to apparatus useful-in eoveringshoeheels. In themansoecallefl Cuban type of heel, it is customary to finish thebreastsurface of theheel by applying apiece ofthin sheet material, for exampleleather,

which -is adhesively secured to the heel, whichmay be of wood.fiberboard, leather or other matelo rial. customarily, used andappropriate for the purposes Usually the lateral surface of the heel.

is first finished, as by covering it with thin sheetmateriaLthis-finishing material either being carriedcaround andlappedover to cover the breast 15:: surface in. whole or in part, or beingtrimmed off flushwiththe forward corners of the heel,-the

breastlsurface then-being covered by a separate piece of sheet materialwhose edges abutor overlap and substantially conceal and cover the edges,-.oftheouter or.lateral covering of the heel. In

the latter case inparticular, any failureof the breast covering.material to adhere permanently to thebreast surface of the heel results,during 1 wear, in a separation or partial separation of the breastcoveringmaterial from the lateral covering. at the corners of the heel,producing anruntidy, frayed or ragged. appearance greatly detractingfrom the intended. neatnessand daintine'ss of footwear of the finergrades. Thisseparation of the breast covering is apparently not due toany inadequacy in holdingpower of the adhesives employed for thispurpose but rather to the failure of the operator topress the coveringso firmly against the breast of the heel proper as to ins"ure uniformadhesion, or to hold the covering material in close association with thesurface of the breast'until the adhesive hascompletely set.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide meanswhereby the breast-covering material may be adequately pressed againstthe breast surface and firmly held until the adhesive employed has hadtime to set and thus to secure the covering permanently to the breastsurface at the edges as well as at intermediate points.

- tomarily concavely curved transversely, this ourvature varies withshoes of different makes and styles, and .in fact this breast surfacemay in some cases be substantially flat. It is a further object 59:01the invention to provide 1 heel covering appar'atus capable of use withheel breasts of any of the usual configurations.

Other objects are tor provide apparatus of simple, inexpensive anddurable type capable of use byoperatorshaving relatively little skill;

ufacture of shoe particularly those having the pany'ing. drawingsembodiments of the invention by way of example,

While the breast surface of the heel is cus whichdoes not interfere or.interrupt the usual course. of procedure. in the factory; and whichmakes. it possible toispeed. up the operation of i heel .breastcoveringas wellas to improve the product.

Qther objects-and advantages of the invention will be mademanifest inthe following more de-- tailed description and by reference to theaccomillustrating certain desirable and wherein Fig.1 is a fragmentaryplan view of a preferred form, of apparatus embodying the presentinvention;

V Fig. 21s a fragmentary vertical section substantially-on the line 2-2of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 isa fragmentary front elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig/Iris a transverse horizontal section'of a shoeheel of the type knownas a Cuban heel, 20.

showingthe coverlng material for the lateral and breast surfacesi Fig.-5 is a. diagrammaticplan view, to small scale illustrative of anotherembodiment of the invention,

ber is provided with a finish, for example, a coat- 5* ing 3 consistingof sheet material such, for example, as leather, cloth, artificialleather or the like, suitably, securedto the core by means of adhesiveand, as shown in Fig. 4, having its forward edges 4, and 5 trimmed offsubstantially flush 40 with the breast surface ,6 of the core member.

This breast surface B'is also provided with a finish, such as a layer 1of leather, artificial leather,-cloth'or the like which is secured tothe breast surface of the core by means of adhesive 8,-the 45.

lateral edges-of this breast covering 1 preferably overlapping andconcealing the forward ends of the covering 3. Ordinarily, the covering3 for, the lateral surfaceis first'applied to the core, and.

after the adhesive has tho-roughly set the breast covering. 1 isapplied. This breast'covering is usually appliedby hand, but sincetheadhesive, even though of quick setting type, does not always setinstantaneously, and since the smoothing action and pressure of theoperatorsv fingers, or

' substantially parallel to the being preferably disposed somewhatabovethe.

of a manually operated pad provided for the purpose, is all thatisavailable for causing the covering to lie snugly against the breastsurface and to insure uniformity of contact and adhesion, it frequentlyhappens, either through failure initially to lay the covering smoothlyinto intimate contact with the breast surface, or because the coveringis not held under pressure throughout its entire area until the cementhas set, that there may be unattached portions forming blisters,bubbles, or areas which are not thoroughly and permanently attached, sothat during wear the breast covering separates more or less from thebreast surface of the core. When this separation takes place, inparticular along the forward corners of the heel, it results aspreviously pointed out in a ragged and unkept appearance greatlydetracting from'the desired daintiness of the shoe. 7

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 there is illustrated a very simple form ofapparatus useful in the breast covering operation, and the use of whichsubstantially insures a proper and permanent adhesion of the breastcovering to the breast surface of the core. 7 V

B represents a bench upon which is mounted a heel rest or'abutment 9.Preferably this heel rest is of sufiicient length so that a plurality ofheels may be mounted upon it in end-to-end relation at the same time.The upper surface ID of this elongate heel rest 9 is preferably convexupwardly with a transverse curvature more or less conforming to that ofthe transverse curvature of the heels to be covered. If desired thesupport 9 may be removably mounted on the bench B and a plurality ofsuch supports, haying differently curved surfaces In maybe provided foruse with heels of widely diiferentbreast curvature. However, it ispreferred to provide the rest 9 with a pad II covering the surface I0,said pad being of resiliently yieldable material, such for example, asrubber, felt, sponge rubber, or a fluid inflated flexible bag, such'padbeing adapted to conform itself underpressure to the breast surface ofthe heel resting thereupon.

A horizontal shaft I2 is arranged to extend length of the rest 9,

level of the upper surface of the pad II. This shaft I2 is convenientlymounted in brackets I3 carried by the base B, and on this shaft ismounted a series of lever arms I4,'I4 I4 I4, etc. corresponding innumber to the number of heels which may conveniently be mounted at thesame time on the heel rest 9. As illustrated, these lever arms !4, Metc. are designed to swing iii parallel, substantially vertical planesperpendicular to the length of the rest 9. These lever arms may be heldin proper spaced position on the shaft I2 by means of collars C and, forconvenience in operating them, each lever may be furnished, if desired,with a handle I5 at its extreme forward end. In the simple embodimentillustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 these lever arms I4, M .etc. are made ofsubstantial weight, for example of more or less cylindrical iron bars,so that gravity alone furnishes the desired heel pressing force.

Adjacent to the forward end of each of the levers I4, I4 etc. there ispreferably arranged a 7 heel positioned with its breast surface on therest 9. Preferably each pad I7 is so mount d upon its lever arm as topermit the pad to rock about the axis of the arm, thereby to accommodateitself to the contour of the surface of the heel with which it contacts.Thus as shown in Fig. 2, the forward part I 8 of the leverarm I4, forexample, may be of reduced diameter so as to form a pivotal support forthe pad I6.

If desired, each bracket I3 may be furnished with a rearwardly andupwardly extending arm I9 which supports an elongate stop bar 20provided, if desired, with a cushioning pad on its upper face, such stopbar extending across the planes of movement of the several lever armsand being adapted to hold any of the lever arms in a rearwardinoperative position when desired.

In using this apparatus, it being assumed that a heel H has beenfurnished with its lateral covering 3 and that the breast covering I hasjust been laid in place by hand-the adhesive still being somewhat fluid,the right hand lever arm I4, for example, may be raised and the heel Hdisposed. with its covered breast surface resting I6 of the lever heelthe breast surface of the latter is pressed this covering conformsitself to the breast surface of the heel, the thin, flexible heelcovering is pressed with substantial uniformity against the breastsurface of the heel core and with very, considerable pressure, thusinsuring uniformity of contact and smoothness of the heel covering.

. The lever I4 may rest upon the heel, while the next lever I I of theseries is raised and a heel H? is disposed beneath the pad of the latterlever. This operation may be continued, heels H.

and H being successively disposed on the rest 9 and beneath the padsofthe lever arms I 4* I45 etc. until the available spaceon the rest 9has been fully taken up. The operator now returns to the first lever I4,lifts it and removes the heel H and places a fresh heel with its breastcovering beneath the lever H and so continues in succession, removingheels from beneath theseveral levers and replacing them with new ones.It is contemplated that the number of levers and the length of the rest9 may be such that by the time the operator returns to remove the heelfrom beneath the first lever, the adhesive will have firmly set.

In Figs. 5 and 6 a modification is illustrated designed moreparticularly for the convenience of the operator. In this arrangement aseries of heel rests 9 is disposed peripherally of a horizontal,rotatable table T mounted for free rotation on a support carried by thebench B. With each of the heel rests 9 there is associated a lever armI4 I4 I4 etc. each arm being pivotally mounted on a bracket I3 carriedby the'table T. Each of the lever arms I4 etc. may be provided with ahandle I5 for lifting it and with a heelengaging pad Ili for engagementwith a heel I-I restingupon the corresponding rest 9 In this,

instance, instead of making the lever arm I4 etc. of sufficient Weightso that gravity supplies all of the desired pressure, each arm may befurnished with a spring 2I so connecting the arm spew-c95 the springs-21 may be varied in accordance with and thus to press the breast surfacepf 'theheel against the padll of the heel rest-*9.

In this instance'the bench furnished'with an opening 13' '(or a seriesof openings) and through this opening there extends alink device,corresponding to each of thelever arms 44 each "3 link device beingpivotally secured at its upper end'tothe corresponding lever arm. Theselink devices are preferably of extensible character,

' each comprising an upper portion 23 and a lower portion 24. The upperportion is furnished with an apertured flange 25 at its lower endthrough which the upper part of the member 24 projects, such upper partbeing furnished with a head 26 at its upper end which slides in a slot26 in the part 23, the upper end wall of the slot constituting anabutment to limit upward movement of the flange 25 and the headprojecting downwardly A spring 21, interposed on the 26 permits relativeyielding of the two link members 23 and 24 in a longitudinal direction.The link member 24 is pivotally connected at its lower end to a longtreadle lever 28 pivotally supported at 29 to a bracket 38 from thebench B, the treadle lever being furnished with a treadle 3| at itsforward end at a convenient point for en'- gagement by the foot of theoperator. A spring 32 tends to raise the lever 28 and, through the linkconnection, to lift the corresponding lever arm Hi to the broken lineposition of Fig. 7.

Preferably the treadle lever 28 is furnished with a lateral flange 33which may engage detent teeth 34 on a sector plate 35 carried by thebench B. In the operation of this device and assuming that the treadlelever 28 is in the upper broken line position and that the lever arm l4is correspondingly raised, the operator places a heel H on the pad IIand then depresses the treadle 3|,

member 24.

thereby swinging the arm Hi downwardly so as to bring the pad l6 intocontact with the rear surface of the heel. The yielding of the linkdevice, as provided for by the spring 28, permits the operator to applyvery substantial resilient pressure to the heel and at the same time toengage the flange 33 beneath one of the detent teeth 34, this engagementbeing accomplished by a slight lateral movement of the treadle lever 28.The heel may now be left under pressure,-the treadle being held locked,until the operator has in a similar way lowered the other pressureapplying arms 28*. The operator then returns to the first lever W and bydepressing the treadle 2| and swinging the arm 28 laterally to a slightextent, the treadle is released from the detent and allowed to rise,thus permitting the operator to remove the heel.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated, it isto be understood that the invention-is not necessarily limited to theseparticular arrangements, but is to be regarded as inclusive of anymodification and/or equivalent constructions falling within the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim: a

1. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support for a shoeheel, said support having wheel-engaging surface approximating the shapeof' thef breast' of 'the-iiheel; and a :movable pressure-applying memberhaving a heel-engaging pad' en gageable with the rear surface of a heeldisposed with its breast in 'contact with the heel-engaging surfaceo-fthe support, said pad being movablyunited: to said pressure-applyingmemberithereby' to permit it to accommodate itself to' the contour ofthe heel;

2; Apparatus of 'the class described comprisinga rest forarshoe heel,said rest having a heelengaging 'surfaoe approximating the shape of"the:

breast of the heel,:a pressure-applying lever pivotally supportedtoswing in a substantially verticalplane about an axis sol'oc-ated withreference to "theheel restthat the free endportion ofthe lever maycontact and apply pressure to the rear surface of a heel disposed withits breast in contact with the heel-engaging surface of the rest.

3. Apparatus of the class described comprising a rest for ashoe heel,said rest having a heel-engaging surface approximating the shape of thebreast of the heel, a pressure-applying lever pivotally supportedtoswing about an axis so located with reference to the heel rest thatthe free end portion of the lever may contact the rear surface of a heeldisposed with its breast in contact with the heel-engaging surface ofthe rest, said lever being so disposed and of. such weight as when incontact with the heel to exert substantial pressure thereagainst.

4. Apparatus of the class described comprising a heel rest having aheel-supporting surface of suflicient length to accommodate a pluralityof shoe heels, said supporting surface being transversely contoured toapproximately the transverse contour of the breast surface of a shoeheel, and a plurality of independent pressure-applying levers pivotally.supported to swing in substantially parallel planes, each lever beingprovided with a heel-engaging element operative to contact with andapply pressure to a shoe heel disposed with its breast in contact withthe heelsupporting surface of the rest thereby to force the heel breastagainst the support.

5. Apparatus of the class described comprising a heel rest having aheel-supporting surface of sufiicient length to accommodate a pluralityof shoe heels, said supporting surface having a transverse contourapproximating the transverse contour of the breast surface of a shoeheel but being resiliently yieldable more readily to accommodate itselfto the contour of said surface of a shoe heel, and a plurality ofindependent levers, each lever being pivotally supported to swing in avertical plane intersecting the supporting surface, gaging element and ahandle portion whereby it may be lifted, each lever being of such weightas, when resting upon a heel disposed with its breast in contact withthe supporting surface of the rest, to exert substantial downwardpressure against the heel.

6. Apparatus of the ing a heel rest having of sufiicient length toaccommodate a of shoe heels, said supporting surface having anapproximate transverse contourto conform with the transverse shape ofthe breast of a shoe heel, and a plurality of movable pressure applyingmembers each having a heel-engaging pad engageable with the rear surfaceof a heel dis-- posed with its breast in contact with the heelsupporting surface of the heel rest each of said pads being movablyunited to the corresponding each lever having a heel-en pluralitypressure applying member thereby to "permit it toaccommodate itself tothe contour of the corresponding heel.

7. Apparatus of the class described comprising a heel rest having aheel-supporting surface of suflicient extent to accommodatea pluralitythe rear surface of a heel disposed with its breastv in contact with theheel-engaging surface of the rest.

8.'Apparatus of the class described comprising a heel rest having aheel-supporting surface of suflicient extent to accommodate a pluralityof shoe heels, said supporting surface having an approximate transversecontour to conform with the transverse shape of the breast of ashoeheel, a plurality of pressure applying levers each pivotallysupported to swing about an axis so located with reference to the heelrest that the free end portion of the'lever may contact the rear surfaceof a heel disposed with its breast in contact with the heel engagingsurface of the rest, each of said levers being so disposed and of such 7weight as when thus in contact with a heel to exert substantial pressurethereagainst;

ALBERT F. BANCROFT.

